Final Soldier’s Body Recovered as Army Concludes Lithuania Tragedy Search

After their M88A2 Hercules recovery vehicle drove into a marsh close to Pabradė, the United States Army successfully retrieved the body of the fourth soldier who went missing in Lithuania. 

This marks the conclusion of a search that lasted for a week. As a result of the tragedy, which took place during a regular training exercise, four troops from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, who were stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia, lost their lives.

Until the families of the soldiers have been notified, the Army has not yet made the names of the servicemen public. The first three bodies were found on Monday, and they were recovered. 

A statement made by Major General Christopher Norrie described the loss as "devastating," adding, "Though we have received some closure, the world is darker without them."

The 70-ton M88A2 that the soldiers were driving went under 15 feet of mud and water when they were on their way to retrieve a broken-down vehicle. 

Two hundred individuals from the United States of America, Poland, Estonia, and Lithuania participated in the intricate recovery operation. They utilized ground-penetrating radar, search dogs, underwater drones, and search dogs.

During his remarks, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed his sorrow and praised the collaborative effort. The incident brings to light the continued dangers associated with military vehicle operations. 

According to statistics from the Army's archives, accidents involving vehicles are the top cause of deaths during training. The cause of the catastrophe is currently being investigated.